Monday, June 25, 2012

I used to hate my nose.
I used to wish my parents could afford braces for me.
I used to think my arms were too hairy.
I used to think I needed big boobs.
I used to think my ears poked out a little too much.
I used to think my skin was embarrassing.
I used to cry about my stretch marks and post-baby saggy belly.
I used to think my calves were too skinny.

I thought there was more wrong with me than right. I thought about it a whole lot.

Well, I used to. Being pretty is the easiest route to validation.
Superficial validation. Your chances of being accepted are inherently
better. It just is.

But, the question is, whose validation do you seek?

If you are seeking validation from the men at the gym, the women at
church, the neighbors, and the mothers at the school, you will find no
satisfaction. You almost need to be prettier...prettier than the rest.
It's a daunting, impossible task, with very little reward. Sure,
maybe you get a few cat-calls, jealous glances, and gobs of compliments.
But, is that enough? Maybe for some, but not for me.

I have come to know there is more I want for myself. I don't want to
spend my time and energy worrying about not fitting into society's mold
of perfectly pretty. I definitely want to feel attractive to myself, but far above that...FAR ABOVE THAT, I want to be
a beautiful person. You know, beautiful on the INSIDE. And, to me,
beauty is dictated by our priorities. I used to want to be pretty, more than a lot of things. But, then I grew up.

Now, I want to feel good about who I am.
I want to be a good friend.
I want to be a great mother.
I want to inspire and teach others to live their best lives.
I want to be a good example. I want to serve others.
I want to constantly improve myself.

If I can do and be those things, I am beautiful. I have validated myself.
I don't need to be pretty. I know that there is a purpose for
me...big nose, crooked teeth, saggy belly, and all. I have come to
realize that all my supposed flaws are what make me real, what
make me human. Obsessing about them whittles away at my beauty, robs me
of a happy life, and leaves me with very little to offer others.

Do those insecurities ever still creep up on me? Sure. But, I just
give them a good smack in the face, and they take off mostly. Everything about
me knows that I am more productive and appealing to myself, and others,
when I'm just real. When my priorities are straight. And, there's
something about feeling good about who you are inside, that makes you
sorta...pretty.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Andrew Becker, a director of media relations for the American Cancer
Society, drew ire after posting a controversial blog post on the
American Cancer Society’s website called ”Bald Barbie Demand Is
an Over-Reach.” In the post, Becker said the Bald Barbie movement could
“do more harm than good for kids and parents.”
“If they are mass marketed, many of these dolls will end up in the
hands of girls who luckily aren’t likely to be touched by cancer in
themselves or their mothers. But could they end up being terrorized by
the prospect of it in a far outsized proportion to their realistic
chances? There is no reason to create this sort of fear,” Becker wrote.

"When I set out to write I wanted to raise questions about activism and
social media around disease. I did not mean to imply that I or the
American Cancer Society believe that sick children are not important."

White
Ribbon : Meaning: This color is a symbol of innocence, victims of
terrorism, violence against women, peace, right to life, bone cancer,
adoptees, and retinal blastomaPearl Ribbon : Meaning: This color is a symbol for emphysema, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and multiple sclerosisBlack Ribbon : Meaning: This color is a symbol of mourning, melanoma, and gang preventionBrown
Ribbon : Meaning: This color is an anti-tobacco symbol as well as a
symbol of colon cancer (alternative ribbon color: blue), colorectal
cancer (alternative ribbon color: blue)Grey Ribbon : Meaning: This color is a symbol of diabetes, asthma, and brain cancerSilver
Ribbon : Meaning: This color is a symbol for children with
disabilities, Parkinson's disease, and mental illnesses such as severe
depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.Gold Ribbon : Meaning: This color is a symbol for childhood cancerJigsaw Puzzle Ribbon: Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for autismLace Ribbon: Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for osteoporosisPink
and Blue Ribbon: Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for
miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death due to SIDS or other causesFlag
Ribbon: Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for both the victims
and heros of the 9/11 attacks. It is also a symbol of patriotism and
support of our troops. In addition, it is a symbol of fireworks safety.Rainbow
Ribbon: Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol of gay pride and
support for the GLBT community and their quest for equal rights.

Friday, November 18, 2011

I have been a bit late announcing this but life has been a bit on the weird side health wise for me.

So it is with great pride, joy, immense relief that I announce the safe arrival of 2 lovely girls and a healthy, happy Mum. Many heartfelt thanks to the staff at Coffs Base Hospital for their care and support

Sunday, November 13, 2011

I am still waiting for news of the twins. Since I have the concentration span of gnat at the moment I have taken to talking to inanimate objects on my desk. Webcam has taken up the duty of "Security System" and is currently watching a green tree frog sitting atop the downpipe. Hope he is recording it all so i know what goes on out there at night.Which brings me to a Christmas beetle flipping over the keyboard! Why are they so dumb! I seem to spend most of December and half of November flipping them over, saving them from ants, tossing them back outside and generally saving their little souls. It is like having 347 Alzheimer's patients in one room (oh okay slight exaggeration perhaps but you get the drift.) Back to the desk, I did say short concentration span! Where was I, webcam sorted, cricket just eaten by Marks dog, earphones need a home! Sorted!

Phone on charger (novel prospect) , papers in a pile (not going to even look at them) and wow rubbish for the bin! Better stop or I will see woodwork, oops too late there is some peeking out AND I have an uninterrupted view of both monitors!

Hold the phone, I have a mouse pad, cool bananas, Oh dear the rest is too hard, Sorry to leave you in the middle of whatever this is, but I will go wait somewhere else in the house.Will let you know when the girls arrive.Everything is ready and waitingso I am not alone

Monday, November 7, 2011

Every day they keep us in suspense will be worth every moment and every grey hair.

I so eagerly await that first time I hold them and see their little hands and feet. All those fingers and toes, the marshmallow cheeks that have shown up on the ultrasounds, will be covered in Grandma kisses and love.

I thank God every day for the miracle of birth and trust He will keep my baby girl safe

The joy of having the opportunity to call them by their already chosen names, instead of Twin 1 and Twin 2, is another moment I will cherish. I am sure their Mum and Dad have selected lovely ones, Master L's one of Harvey and Norman (as well as various suggestions by friends that have been given to them) I am sure will be disregarded.

Ho hum.

Why is it so many of us are not satisfied with the names our parents choose for us?

But we do get on with our lives and live with it.

Lets hope this isn't the case with these much adored already cherubs (but I very much doubt it)!